Chicopee Marriage Records

Chicopee marriage records are maintained by the City Clerk at 17 Springfield Street. The office issues marriage licenses, records completed ceremonies, and provides certified copies to those who need them. Chicopee also offers dedicated genealogy research services with set hours, making it a useful stop for family history researchers. The state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics in Dorchester holds copies for all Massachusetts marriages recorded since 1931.

Chicopee City Clerk Office

The Chicopee City Clerk is Keith W. Rattell. The office is on the first floor at 17 Springfield Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Phone is 413-594-1466. Fax is 413-594-1469. Email is krattell@chicopeema.gov. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Marriage intentions must be filed before 4:00 PM, so plan your visit accordingly if you are coming in to start a license application. Arriving at 4:45 PM will not leave enough time to complete the process. The clerk handles marriage licenses, certified copies of vital records, genealogy research services, and other city records.

For mail requests, write to the City Clerk at 17 Springfield Street, 1st Floor, Chicopee, MA 01013. Include both parties' full names, the marriage date, your contact information, and a check or money order for the applicable fee. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of copies. Mail takes longer than in-person visits to process. Email the office at krattell@chicopeema.gov first if you have questions about what to send or how long processing takes.

The Chicopee City Clerk page at the city website lists all services, hours, and contact details for the office.

Check this page before visiting to confirm current hours, fees, and any documentation required for your type of request.

Marriage License Process in Chicopee

Chicopee charges $25 for a marriage license. That is one of the lowest fees in the state. Both applicants must appear at the City Clerk's office together. No Chicopee residency is required. Bring valid photo ID for each person. Remember that marriage intentions must be filed before 4:00 PM, even though the office stays open until 5:00 PM. Arrive with enough time to complete the process before the intention cutoff.

Massachusetts law under MGL Chapter 207 sets a mandatory 3-day waiting period before the license becomes valid. Once active, it is good for 60 days. The ceremony must take place within that window or the license expires and you have to start over. Plan the application date so the waiting period clears before the wedding day. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. If you need to waive the wait, apply to a Probate or District Court. That process costs $195 and is not automatically approved.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk. The clerk records it and submits a report to the state. That becomes the official marriage certificate. Certified copies can be ordered once the record is on file with the city or the state.

Getting Certified Copies

Certified copies of Chicopee marriage certificates cost $10 each. Non-certified copies cost $5 each. In-person is the fastest option. Bring a photo ID and know both parties' full names and the approximate marriage date. Staff can usually provide copies the same day for in-person requests during regular office hours.

For mail requests, include the names, marriage date, your return address, and a check or money order for the fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing time for mail is longer than in person. If you need the copy by a specific date, visiting in person is the better option. Call 413-594-1466 to confirm the current fee and processing time before mailing your request.

Certified copies carry legal weight. Use them for name changes, insurance updates, joint tax filings, and other official purposes. Courts and government offices accept certified copies from both the Chicopee City Clerk and the state RVRS.

Genealogy Research Services

The Chicopee City Clerk's office offers dedicated genealogy research services. Research hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM only. A genealogy search fee of $15 covers three months of records. This is a useful service for researchers who want someone at the office to search on their behalf rather than reviewing records themselves. Not all Massachusetts clerks offer this kind of structured genealogy access, so it is worth taking advantage of if you are working on Chicopee family history.

The Chicopee genealogy page explains what records are available for research, how to request a search, and what information you need to provide.

Review this page before your visit so you understand what types of records are searchable and what details to bring when requesting a genealogy search at the office.

Genealogy research at the clerk's office is limited to city records. For marriages in other Massachusetts communities or from periods outside what the city holds, the State Archives and the RVRS are the next steps. Combining local and state records usually gives the most complete picture for researchers working on Chicopee family lines.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Chicopee City Clerk FAQ page answers common questions about marriage licenses, certified copies, genealogy research, and other clerk services in Chicopee.

Check the FAQ before calling or visiting the office. Questions about what to bring, how long records take, what fees apply, and how genealogy searches work are covered there. Reading through it ahead of time can save a phone call and help you arrive prepared.

Chicopee Public Library

The Chicopee Public Library is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library. That status gives patrons access to some FamilySearch resources that are not available to the public online. You have to visit the library in person to use those restricted collections, but they can be very useful for deep genealogy work. The library also provides in-library access to Ancestry.com and American Ancestors (NEHGS) for library cardholders, which covers a broad range of Massachusetts and New England vital records.

The library's Chicopee Room holds local history materials, including city directories, newspapers, and other primary sources useful for researching Chicopee families over time. Staff can help direct researchers to the right materials for a specific time period or family. For very early marriages, before the state vital records system began in 1841, the Chicopee Room collection and church records are often the best available sources.

State Historical Records

For Chicopee marriages from 1841 to 1930, the Massachusetts State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston holds the statewide vital records. Phone is 617-727-2816. Certified copies cost $3. Use the Secretary of State's online search tool to confirm a record exists before making the trip to Boston. The state collection is complete from 1841 forward.

The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester, MA 02125 holds all Massachusetts marriages from 1931 to the present. Phone is 617-740-2600. Certified copies cost $20 in person or $32 by mail. VitalChek accepts online and phone orders for the RVRS. FamilySearch at familysearch.org provides free access to many Massachusetts vital records from the 1800s and early 1900s. American Ancestors at americanancestors.org has extensive early New England records for deeper family history research.

Hampden County Marriage Records

Chicopee is in Hampden County. Marriage licenses are issued at the city level, but the county page covers Probate Court records and broader Hampden County resources.

View Hampden County Marriage Records

Nearby Cities

This nearby city has its own marriage records page with local clerk details and certificate request information.